Custom is standard

Commanding a clean elegance with nearly unlimited possibility, Agile OFIS uses DIRTT’s ICE software for unprecedented design freedom with unprecedented control. Guesswork about whether a design can be built or not is eliminated because ICE produces real-time pricing, design and manufacturing specifications, and parts lists in addition to immediate renderings as well as fly-trough’s that let you tour your design on the fly. There is also real-time AutoCAD integration for compatibility.

DIRTT architectural solutions through the power of ICE give your designer virtually unlimited freedom to create your perfect interior. The patented wall elements allow work surfaces, overheads, displays, and any other object to be mounted seamlessly off the surface, without damage. The walls support legacy and new furniture, are reconfigurable, and easily refinished to suit future needs.

DIRTT wall sizes are infinite within the parameters of each part of the wall and come in all sizes and finishes. Face tiles are independent aesthetically and functionally, allowing designers to address different conditions on either side of a wall. The tiles and skins fit within a single frame but can also stretch across adjacent module frames and flexible connections offer faceted curves up to 15 degrees. Ironically, with ICE, your project won’t get frozen. Agile OFIS keeps you moving.

Ice Software

It’s like a videogame for design but with the brains and muscle for business. ICE® software provides interactive graphical exploration of your design at any time during it’s creation. Everyone is on the same page and understands the big picture because you see exactly what you’re going to get.

Design Team

Come to the best. Agile OFIS boasts the largest team of dedicated designers in the United States. We are specialists in using DIRTT with ICE software

Case Study

Burnaby Optimization Clinic

Burnaby, British Columbia

“It sets a new benchmark for hospital design.”

Ice Software

It’s like a videogame for design, but with the brains and muscle for business.

ICE® software provides interactive graphical exploration of your design at any time during it’s creation. Everyone is on the same page and understands the big picture because you see exactly what you’re going to get. Behind the scenes, every detail of your Agile OFIS DIRTT design is instantly and seamlessly calculated into a list of the parts along with their pricing. Changes can be made just as easily with the same 3D rendering still available. ICE automatically updates every aspect. When your design is finalized, all that information goes to the factory floor where your walls and components are precisely manufactured without the need for further human interpretation. ICE doesn’t stop there. Your DIRTT components are kept in inventory so when your needs inevitably change, ICE knows what you have to work with to re-use and re-design. Replacement parts are also easily identified and manufactured. ICE truly is amazing and revolutionary in its ability to keep you agile, sustainable, and profitable! Further information about ICE can be found at their website http://www.ice-edge.com/

Design Team

Come to the best.

Agile OFIS boasts the largest team of dedicated designers in the United States. We are specialists in using DIRTT with ICE software and also proficient in integrating full-featured communications and technology solutions into your space. Award-winning designers are here and eager to help your organization design the best and most sustainable space for your unique needs.
We look forward to working with you!

Burnaby Optimization Clinic

Burnaby, British Columbia

The firm, Craven Huston Powers Architects, worked with Mah and his team to develop an effective design solution. “At the outset we envisioned the use of a modular wall system to achieve flexibility, It sets a new benchmark for hospital design aesthetical enhancement and to build quality,” says Mah. “Under a formal RFP, the DIRTT wall system proved to be the best solution. The platform was outstanding and we approached it with great excitement.”

The team took advantage of the pliable nature of the DIRTT system to ensure it not only met the physical needs of their patients and staff with plumbing in the walls, handrail support and ADA compliant doors, but they met their emotional needs too. “We took the DIRTT profiles and pushed the envelope, incorporating the concept of nature imagery through high resolution graphical films, for a warm and comforting environment.” Eighty-percent of the walls are DIRTT Walls. Only “wet areas” warranted other flooring and flash-coving for infection control purposes.

All the teams on the project worked well together. Even the General Contractor, a team member often suspicious of modular walls, embraced the idea from the beginning. “As a healthcare facility, a greater emphasis is required for safety, infection control, cleaning and maintenance measures,” explains Mah. “The DIRTT team stepped up to the plate and delivered a home run. There was an unequivocal integrated design process by which various key stakeholders understood what the modular wall system could provide to enhance our work environments and patient outcomes. It was quite the adventure.”

“It sets a new benchmark for hospital design.”

The first medical teams and administrative staff to move-in are pleased with the results. “Staff and stakeholders find the design and space ‘refreshing and enlightened,’ says Mah. “It sets a new benchmark for hospital design. We look forward to working with DIRTT Environmental Solutions on future endeavours and projects.”

We don’t just build walls, we liberate the spaces in between

At Agile OFIS’ core is a set of robust interface elements that support reconfiguration, extreme levels of customization, and distributed manufacturing. The solutions include DIRTT Walls, DIRTT Millwork, DIRTT Power, and DIRTT Networks along with cutting-edge ICE® technology and ICEberg®, a powerful modular vs. traditional construction cost-comparison tool. These solutions are designed from the start to be fully integrated and able to easily accommodate new technologies over time.
Our experienced team of professionals are trained to use these amazing tools and components to create the perfect space to suit your needs and stay agile for the future.

Agile OFIS announces it is now an authorized commercial distributor of Lutron Electronics motorized shades.

ABOUT US

Agile OFIS is Houston’s premier DIRTT destination; here to help position your organization for adaptability, sustainability, and efficiency, all with style and ease.

DIRTT INTERIORS

DIRTT Walls are open to more function and more customization than any other in the industry, giving designers virtually unlimited freedom. They are environmentally sustainable, flexible, unique and highly productive.

Communications & Technology

Communication is vital.

About Us

Agile OFIS is Houston’s premier DIRTT destination.

We’re here to help position your organization for adaptability, sustainability, and efficiency, all with style and ease. In addition to our amazing and award-winning design team, our office staff and install team have been expertly serving the greater Houston area for years.
If you’re looking for the best, you’ve found it.

DIRTT Interiors

DIRTT is the award-winning, industry-leading, perfect choice.

DIRTT Walls are open to more function and more customization than any other in the industry, giving designers virtually unlimited freedom. They are environmentally sustainable, flexible, unique and highly productive. The patented wall elements allow work surfaces, overheads, displays, and any other object to be mounted seamlessly off the surface, without damage. The walls support legacy and new furniture, are reconfigurable, and easily refinished to suit future needs.
To create a fully agile space, DIRTT interiors offer modular plug-and-play power and data that integrate directly within DIRTT Walls. This provides easy access and control over the part of the office that changes the most, without the need to bring in expensive trades or dispose of wire and cables every time there is a move, add or change. In short, DIRTT is the award-winning, industry-leading, perfect choice for any organization’s interior needs.

Communications & Technology

Vital to organization.

Vital to organization is the ability to communicate internally and with the outside world. Agile OFIS offers comprehensive solutions from telephone communications options to video conferencing and state-of-the-art meeting room management that can be controlled wirelessly via tablet computers. Combined with DIRTT interiors, these technologies are easily integrated and maintenanced.

100,000 sq ft in 26 days

The expert experience Agile OFIS has when coupled with the comprehensive integration of ICE software, creates a blazingly fast process from beginning a solution through design which ultimately helps the contractor finish on time and ultimately creating and unmatched experience. Whether it is the initial install or reconfiguring for your space, you’ll be able to achieve results quicker than ever before. From the simple components we use to embrace your need along with our technology solutions we design to accommodate with remarkable agility.

Build-Out

The advantages of ICE-designed interiors don’t stop at design, manufacturing, or billing. Build-out times also speed up significantly.

Reconfigure

Reconfiguring an interior can also be done in record time. With ICE software keeping track of all your components and the layout, changes are quickly and easily made.

Case Study

Exelon

Chicago, Illinois

“We needed to create an environment that contributes and promotes employee productivity.”

Build-Out

Build-out times sped up significantly.

The advantages of ICE-designed interiors don’t stop at design, manufacturing, or billing. Build-out times also speed up significantly. The layout and modular components are easily referenced and installed in record time. Multiple specialty contractors aren’t needed as many components are designed and built-in with plug and play functionality. A floorspace that might have taken weeks with traditional construction methods could take only days with Agile OFIS and DIRTT.

Reconfigure

Interiors reconfigured in record time.

Reconfiguring an interior can also be done in record time. With ICE software keeping track of all your components and the layout, changes are quickly and easily made. The modular nature of DIRTT allows easy access to components that need to swapped out, added to, rearranged or moved to an entirely new location. There is no demolition, only dismantling. This is where the sustainability and financial benefits also really hit home and the big picture is even more fully realized.

Exelon

Chicago, Illinois

Exelon, one of the largest electrical utilities in the United States, consolidated its Chicago headquarters into the existing Chase Tower. The key intent for the more than 220,000 square feet was to increase productivity and reduce costs. The real challenge was to accomplish all this while achieving Platinum designation in the USGBC LEED Program. The new headquarters’ redesign demonstrates the company’s overall mission of environmental leadership and emissions reduction. “My team and I worked with Exelon Senior Management,” said Dennis Kluge, Senior Architect with ISI. “We needed to create an environment that not only achieved its environmental goals, but contributed and promoted employee productivity through an improved workplace.” That included movable walls for flexibility with the aesthetics to reflect the company’s corporate culture. The design intent wish list focused on a contemporary look, infused with corporate history and an eye firmly set to Exelon’s future.

The team evaluated nine manufacturers’ multiple finish options, integrated floor/ceiling leveling capabilities, acoustics (supported by a field test report by an independent testing agency) and glass options for maximum day lighting. In the spirit of sustainability, their wall choice needed to support the ability to easily reconfigure space as an added measure of reducing waste.

After extensive product testing, Exelon chose DIRTT. The client team was impressed by the aesthetics, and the designers and architects were pleased by the performance of the walls, as well as the willingness of DIRTT to respond to the client’s needs for minor innovations to the product. Consideration for materials within the walls helped drive the decision-making process. Exelon chose DIRTT’s wood-thrifty veneer- wrapped wall frames with all non-toxic/water-based finishes and Sierra Pine Urea-Formaldehyde free MDF tiles finished with non-toxic, water- based Chroma-coat finish.

“We needed to create an environment that contributes and promotes employee productivity.”

Ultimately, Exelon achieved its LEED Platinum designation; becoming the largest Platinum certified remodeled commercial office space in the U.S.

Reduce… Reuse… Reuse… Reuse…

Every level of DIRTT reflects our devotion to the environment. Our solutions mitigate waste, energy and sprawl for our Clients. Our manufacturing methods, our marketing tools and our people are continually lessening the waste stream, carbon footprint and energy use. Equally important, every day we prove environmental sustainability is a profitable enterprise that does not cost our Clients more and in fact can improve their own efficiencies.

It Lasts

Agile OFIS uses DIRTT not just because of it’s impressive design, ease of implementation and environmental friendliness, but also because it lasts.

Competitor’s Waste

Traditional construction leaves waste all over the place from mistakes in manufacturing to customization on site to overprinted marketing materials.

Case Study

Johnson County

Lenexa, Kansas

“This building’s supposed to last 100 years, so flexibility was extremely important in all our decisions.”

It Lasts

Agile OFIS uses DIRTT not just because of it’s impressive design

Agile OFIS uses DIRTT not just because of it’s impressive design, ease of implementation and environmental friendliness, but also because it lasts. Of course that also further bolsters its environmental credentials. DIRTT gives you an asset that can move with you where others get left in dust or thrown in a landfill. We use quality materials with minimal environmental impact and the ability to stand the test time. DIRTT knows it’s hard to have it all and we’re constantly working to improve beyond already high standards.

Competitor’s Waste

Traditional construction leaves waste all over the place

Traditional construction leaves waste all over the place from mistakes in manufacturing to customization on site to overprinted marketing materials. Transportation from far off-factories adds to carbon footprints, many un-recyclable building materials containing toxic ingredients, introducing fumes and other contaminants to office environments during construction, there are a multitude of inefficiencies and wasteful practices that are common among competitors. Consider all the trashed materials just from constructing or moving from one space with traditional build-out: drywall, wiring, wood scrap, nails, fasteners… the list goes on…
Why waste valuable energy and resources when there’s a better option with Agile OFIS and DIRTT?

Johnson County

Lenexa, Kansas

Johnson County, Kansas is a fast growing community. A reflection of this growth is found at the County’s own offices. In providing more services to a more diverse population, their leased buildings became crowded and inefficient.

The facilities team ran a thorough financial analysis for a county-owned, environmentally sustainable building that could support a high churn rate and several departments. The numbers justified their decision. One of the ways they saved the taxpayers’ dollars initially was through a much faster move-in schedule. The new building was designed and built in 16 months, versus the typical 3 to 31⁄2 years for 128,000 square feet. Much of the speed came from integrating practices so that all the professionals and trades collaborated. They also used many pre-manufactured elements rather than building everything from scratch. That included DIRTT Movable Walls.

From the beginning the facilities team wanted to use movable walls, but could not find a system with horizontal support. Plus, they wanted a wall with removable tiles. Facilities Manager, Danni Livingston found what they needed at the DIRTT showroom in Chicago. “Removable skins means we can make small changes on the walls or repair them easily,” explained Ms. Livingston. “With horizontal support we can hang all our furniture no matter how the wall is configured. This building’s supposed to last 100 years, so flexibility was extremely important in all our decisions.”

“This building’s supposed to last 100 years, so flexibility was extremely important in all our decisions.”

The Johnson County building has gone on to win several awards and has LEED Gold certification. It also dramatically lowered the County’s operating costs.

Case Study

Case Study

Case Study

Incapital

Deerfield Beach, Florida

“A functional yet futuristic aesthetic.”

Atlantic Container Line

Westfield, New Jersey

The gorgeous, award winning offices of Atlantic Container Line’s North American headquarters are an ode to the company’s links to the seas. ACL is a container/cargo company with 40-years’ experience around the world. Their space includes wonderful nautical elements such as oak-clad walls reminiscent of the hull of a sailing ship and a large, white, fiberglass replica of a propeller.

In their business they’ve seen all kinds of events that put a crimp in on-time delivery. So when the truck carrying their DIRTT Walls ended up jack-knifing off the highway down a 30-foot cliff during a winter storm (thankfully the driver was unhurt), they had empathy for DIRTT.

“After seeing the pictures we figured DIRTT would have to redo the entire job,” said Human Resources & Office Services VP, Rob O’Leary. “We figured it would add another three weeks to the whole project.”

“It was amazing.”

For DIRTT, that would not be acceptable. The Walls were brought back to the factory. Some pieces were destroyed and others needed fixing. There were even some doors completely unharmed. Teams were assembled and people came in on their day off to try to still make the move-in date. When production started ACL was contacted and told to expect the new shipment in a week. “It was amazing. A week later, at 1:55 p.m., I happened to be in the receiving area with the Jones Lang LaSalle Project Manager and in came the truck that was promised for a 2 o’clock arrival,” said Mr. O’Leary. “It was nice to see it roll into the property with my own eyes.”

On top of being pleased with the service from DIRTT, Mr. O’Leary says he is hearing great responses about the Walls themselves. “I don’t know how many people walk down the hall and are compelled to run their hand across it,” he said. “The CEO and EVP of our company both marveled at doors. They love the smoothness and discreet track and secure feel of them. The craftsmanship is very high.”

The ACL offices have been noted in the pages of several design magazines and won awards, but for Mr. O’Leary the real win was the successful move-in. “It all arrived on time and installed on time. It was all good all around. Everyone is very happy.”

Cochrane Community Health Services

Cochrane, Alberta

Few sectors have to be as responsive and responsible as healthcare.

Its clientele ranges from newborns to seniors. It responds daily to injuries, illnesses and preventative health care. Alberta Health Services (AHS) is a provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health services for more than 3.7 million people. The AHS manages Cochrane Community Health Services, where staff is ready for whatever incidents occur at the local oilrigs, ranches and lumber mills. The town of Cochrane also happens to be one of the country’s fastest growing, meaning they provide more and more family health care.

When building a new clinic, stakeholders envisioned a space to match the community’s demands better than conventional construction methods and materials had previously. “We’re constantly challenged with a shortage of space and evolving space needs,” said AHS Project Manager, Beverly Wilson. “Demountable partitions seemed like a good long-term solution for this site.” By choosing DIRTT, that flexibility extends to providing accessible wall cavities. Indoor air quality is protected whether the Facilities Team needs to fix one pipe or renovate entire offices. “If they take a room out or make a room larger they don’t have to shut down a whole floor,” explained the Architect, Stacy Christensen with Group2 Architecture Engineering. “They can localize the construction to a little zone. You don’t get all the drywall dust and all the mess. It’s a very smart solution for this type of application.”

“A whole new level of flexibility for us.”

DIRTT Walls provided other benefits during initial design and construction. Off-site manufacturing combined with the instant, comprehensive modifications of ICE® software gave the design team nearly three extra months of design time. “Because of the way DIRTT works we could really narrow down and get into the nitty-gritty of each space,” said Ms. Christensen. “We had time to make each space truly work for its intended use.”

For the medical staff at the clinic the DIRTT Walls provide horizontal support for furniture, fixtures and equipment. This unique horizontal support method gives the medical staff the best initial placement of equipment and storage with easy, damage-free adjustability. “Instead of screwing all the fitments to the wall we can clip them in,” said Ms. Christensen. “We can move them around. The spaces took on a whole new level of flexibility for us.”

The community responded warmly to the new clinic’s open house. “People love this space,” said Ms. Wilson. “We were able to make the clinic more playful and a little bit brighter than if we were using a typical drywall solution.” Ms. Christensen feels there is a lot more potential for using DIRTT in healthcare applications. “I think it’s a nice solution. I’d love to see it grow in that way.”

Incapital

Deerfield Beach, Florida

The architectural firm Gallo Herbert Lebolo is known for its approach to sustainability and inspiring designs. The firm was chosen to design a 13,600 square foot securities trading office in Boca Raton. Incapital, an award winning international securities and investment banking firm, had a goal to match the physical space of the new building with the trading office’s progressive culture and strategy.

“Incapital looked to us to reflect the contemporary technological approach that is the hallmark of success of their business,” said Diana Herbert, LEED® AP, the project’s lead Designer and director of the interiors group at the firm. “Their concept of transparency and total visual collaboration amongst traders, supervisors and management led to a rich design aesthetic incorporating a combination of wood panels, sleek glass, polished metal hardware and mullions, as well as marble and carpet tile floors. The total image evolved a functional yet futuristic aesthetic.” Aesthetic principles employed in this award winning design were: the use of neutral tone materials and interior glazed walls, an intelligent and ordered illumination system, an interior conceived as a series of open spaces and floor to ceiling interior glazing for an abundance of natural light and a permanent visual relation to the exterior for all spaces.

The realization of the concept was initially hampered by the fact that the base building was unavailable for interior work until just six weeks prior to occupancy. The specter of the time and cost of custom millwork and glazing was hanging over the team’s head before the project even started. They decided to look at what DIRTT could offer as a prefab solution for the schedule crunch.

“A functional yet futuristic aesthetic.”

Before considering prefab as an option, the firm agreed quick installation was important, but not important enough to compromise aesthetics, architectural integration or day-to-day performance for their client. “We were very pleased once we saw how the DIRTT product could adapt to the design we’d originally intended as built-on-site custom,” said Ms.Herbert. “All the wood and glass and integration with the base-building we envisioned were captured in these modular walls. And the DIRTT walls came in faster and with less waste than if we’d done them conventionally.”

By changing the method of construction without jeopardizing function and aesthetics, Incapital moved in on schedule. The space has been on the front cover of a prestigious magazine and their beautiful offices are agile for reacting seamlessly and cleanly to any company strategy without waste, noise or lost time.